Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-12-22

1tOoo MeliI u y " Alo1 1OOh 1Ol LIE SISS al
case. intending to join Coral and go fol
their usual evening walk.
Imagine his surprise on reaching the
piazza to find Coral had disappeared.
His countenance wore an expression
OF mingled anger and vexation.
,, Where had she gonei Why had she
not waited for him!
1t grew dusk; the moon was shining
with silvery CLEAN.
Ross Seymour sat on the steps. and
outwardly appeared calm as he talked
to the ladies and gentlemen collected
there; he tried to take an interest in
the conversation, but he was in fact very
much bored.
He missed Coral Sidney Ernscliff
vas also absent. What right had Sid
ney to pay attention to Coral Cleveland
He would soon put stop to that; he
had to say but the word and she was
his.
At this instant his thoughts were in
terrupted by voices in the distance sing
ing, and presently two couples appeared
in sight.
Coral Cleveland and Sidney Ernscliff,
Lyndon Brooks and Dessa Weldon (Cor-
ais cousin.) Evidently Coral had for
COTTON his existence.
They came up the steps laughing and
talking, Coral with her hat swinging by
its ribbons over her arm, looking the
picture of happiness. And Sidney never
appeared to a better advantage. He
was tall young man of five and twenty
with frank, open countenance, a dark
mustache and expressive blue eyes.
And all of n sudden it occurred to Ross
Seymour that Sidney WAS decidedly
good looking.
By the time they had reached the top
of the steps, Ross had made up his mind
how to act.
Next to him sat tall, dark beauty,
Laura Osmond, and he at once devoted
himself toher. They laughed, and talk
ed nonsense, exchanging innumerable
irresistible smiles and glances. Laura
Osmund was delighted for she had al
ways had secret admiration for Ross,
and envied Coral Cleveland his atten-
tions, so she exerted herself to entertain
him.
But Ross soon wearied of this amuse-
ment when he found that Coral did not
glance in his direction and it was grow
ing late, soon the piazza wonld be de-
serted and he must speak with her at
any cost
He WAS detarmined TO ask heF-to be
,Ifs wife. He would not wait another
hour
Excusihg himself to Laura Osmond,
he watched his opportunity to speak to
Coral.
Very soon she started to enter the
hotel, and Ross followed her.
Coral" he whispered, show have l
been SO unfortunate as TO offend YOU"
Il was not aware that you had Of
Tended me, Mr.. Seymour" answered
Coral with her sweetest smile.
By this time they had walked the
length of the hall, the parlor door stood
invitingly open, the lamps not lighted, |
moonlight only came soft and bright in
to the room and made it as light as day.
Il must bid you goodnight, Mr.. Sey-
mour," said Coral, passing by the open
door.
Ross grew desperate. Coral, my
darling, why do you avoid me when you
know how much love you. Say you
viii be my wife. Hove you better than
my life"
Coral lifted her head proudly as the
answered:
Pardon me, Mr. Seymour, if 1 am in
clined to doubt the truth of such state
ment, and when I tell you that l was in |
the woods to-day and was an uninten-
tonal listener to conversation between
yourself and Sidney Ernscliff, you will
r'alize that the sooner we say good night
tie better"
'Oh, Coral, forgive me, am I to lose
ytur love for few careless words spo-
ken in jest"
He attempted to take her hand in his,
bit Coral drew it quickly away. Her
voice was low and firm as she made re-
reply:
No gentlemen would speak of the
woman he loves as you spoke of me to-
dS. From now on we meet as stran-
eels. Once more, good night"
Ross heard her as in dream, and ac-
kmwledged bitterly to himself that he
deIerved it all, and before he could de-
tain her she was gone.
Not until she was lost to him forever
die he realize how dear she was to him.
The next morning the guests at the
hotel were informed that Ross Seymour
hal received business telegram the
night before requiring his immediate
presence in New York, and he had left |
on the earliest train.
It was many years before he saw
Coral Cleveland again, and when at last
they did meet, she was introduced to
him as Mrs. Sidney Ernscliff
JEFFIE FoRBUsH HANAFoRD.
The Verdict Unanimous
W. d. Suit. Druggist. .Bippns. Ind. |